This course provides an introduction to contemporary social and communication issues in science, technology, and society. Why communicate science with the public, the media or the government? What are the best ways to go about it and what are the potential pitfalls? And what kinds of factors affect public attitudes to science?

Topics include the history of science communication; competing theories of what science communication is for; different models of effective science communication; obstacles facing scientists wanting to communicate their work; practical skills for communicating science through news outlets, the web, and live presentations; the different languages of science; cross-cultural considerations when communicating science; and the influence of popular media, science centres, politics, history, and cultural values on the public context of science communication.

The course focuses on current events and issues facing scientists, science communicators, policy makers, and the community. Students are encouraged to discuss their own perceptions of science and technology in the context of the broader community, and the problems with (and solutions to) communicating science with non-expert audiences. A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration with other students, and students are expected to take an active approach to learning.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Work as part of a team in a collaborative environment (LO1)
2. Understand and describe the key issues and importance of effective science communication (LO2)
3. Recognise how social contexts affect the practice and communication of science (LO3)
4. Translate and report on scientific writing (LO4)
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the presentation of science in various media (LO5)
6. Understand and practice modes of scientific communication appropriate for peers, funding bodies, and publics (LO6)
7. Synthesise personal interests, values and aspirations with professional development (LO7)

Researching real scientists' involvement in public communication:

• Interview a real scientist's attitudes to and experience with communicating their science (15%; LO 3, 6, 7)
• Learn and apply academic research skills in a research and reference task relevant to this (10%; LO 2, 3, 7)
• Prepare a group report analysing interviews to understand science communication trends (25%; LO 1, 2, 3, 5)

Communicating current science:

• Summarise a scientific paper in "plain English" and reflect on its social communication contexts (15%; LO 3, 4)
• "Translate" a scientific paper into a format for two different audiences and mediums (30% (15% x 2); LO 2, 3, 4, 6)
• Formats to choose from are a news article, a public lecture, a blog post, an information leaflet, and a grant application to fund a research project.

Applying knowledge to science communication activities:

• Feedback for speakers in SCOM2001 conference (5%; LO 1, 5)

Two 1 hour lectures plus one 2 hour tutorial per week (total 4 contact hours per week)

Readings available online